‘Old Man James’ named winner of 2013 Coast Guard Cadence Contest

CAPE MAY, N.J. – The Coast Guard announced the service’s Top Cadence of 2013 during a ceremony aboard Coast Guard Training Center Cape May Thursday at 8 a.m.

Petty Officer 1st Class Rick Bauz’s cadence “Old Man James” was selected by fans of the service on Facebook and YouTube as the Coast Guard’s Top Cadence winning the competition by more than 300 votes. Fans were asked to pick their favorite by liking videos of the cadences being call on Facebook and YouTube, and Bauz’s cadence garnered the most public support.

Bauz’s cadence detailed the life and death of Joshua James, a member of the U.S. Lifesaving Service and considered by many as one the most celebrated rescue men in history. The cadence was inspired by Bauz’s love for Coast Guard history and his own experiences in the Coast Guard. Bauz, a company commander at Training Center Cape May, is a boatswain’s mate by trade and has worked numerous search and rescue cases throughout his career.

“This cadence is not only teaches our recruits our history,” says Bauz. “It’s about instilling a sense of urgency to prepare and train for the worst, and while we may not be able to save everyone, Coast Guardsmen can find some comfort in the fact that we’ve done everything we can to ensure we’re ready for the call.”
Each year Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, the service’s only enlisted basic training facility, solicits original marching cadences from across the service. The Cadence Contest helps develop original Jody calls that educate and motivate the future of America’s Coast Guard. A panel comprised of senior training center staff and company commanders selected the Top 5 Cadences of 2013, and those were posted online for public voting.

“The Coast Guard Cadence Contest allows servicemembers from across the Coast Guard to educate our recruits,” said Capt. Todd Prestidge, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May. “Everything we do here is aimed at educating and preparing future Coast Guardsmen for the rigors of service, and that includes when they call cadence.”